Eco-Footprints

Comments (0)

Transcript of Eco-Footprints

What color is Your Footprint?2010Right now, people are consuming (using) the equivalent of 1.5 Earths. This means that it takes the Earth 1 year and six months to regenerate what we use in 1 year.

We are turning resources into waste faster than the Earth can change our waste back into resources. What will happen if we don't change the way we live?By 2050, we will need the equivalent of 3 Earths to support our lifestyle.We only have 1 Earth!Shrink Your eco-footprintLandAnything we throw in the trash goes to a landfill where it slowly decomposes (breaks down). This is land pollution.WaterLots of solid garbage is dumped in our oceans. Liquid chemicals, like oil, also pollute our water.AirAir pollution is gases or particles (tiny solids) that make our air unclean. Air pollution comes from factories and vehicles (cars, trucks, etc.) burning fossil fuels. People breathe about 20,000 liters of air daily. Breathing polluted dirty air makes people sick.Deforestation (cutting down trees) and mining (digging for minerals) makes the soil less healthy because nutrients get washed away.Earth is a closed system. Everything on our planet stays here. Solid wastes decompose (break down) and gases dissipate (disappear), but this takes time. How long do you think it would take for each item below to decompose?

Measure your answer in days, weeks, months, or years.If we're not careful...Every living thing on Earth, both animals and plants, leaves a Footprint on the world. There are over 7 billion humans on Earth and we are able to make much bigger Footprints than any other species. Here are some of our Footprints.Worms dig tunnels through the soil. This helps water go under ground to the roots of plants.Plovers eat leftover food from crocodiles' mouths. The crocodile gets clean teeth, the plover gets a meal, and nothing is wasted.However, when there are too many of one kind of plant or animal, it's not good for the environment.Kudzu grows quickly and can cover an entire forest. It kills the plants and trees that it covers.Snails can eat all the vegetation in an area if there are too many in one place.Symbiosis is when living things help each other. This also leaves a smaller Footprint on the Earth.the question is...Humans dig for rocks and metals to use.Humans burn down rainforest for farmland.Humans live in houses and apartment buildings.Humans cut down trees for paper and wood.An Eco-Footprint is how much land and sea area is needed to produce the things you use AND absorb your waste.Eco-FootprintsDon't forget about energy. Every time we turn on a light, drive a car, or use a computer, we use energy. But where does our energy come from?BiomassCoaloilNatural GasHydropowerNuclear PowerRenewable EnergyWind PowerSolar PowerGrowing .5 pound of each food = driving a car __ mileshttp://footprint-calculator.islandwood.org/Shop SmartClick this link to measure your Footprint.Wood, paper and cardboard come from forests.Everything we use takes resources from the Earth.My eco-footprintGrowing crops and raising livestock for food and clothes takes up land.Buildings, streets, and factories take up land.We need untouched ecosystems. Not only to absorb our air pollution, but also as homes for plants and animals.Oceans give us seafood and oxygen and keep Earth cool.Everything we use takes away resources and adds pollution to the Earth leaving an Eco-Footprint.So...Question: Is it better to have a bigger or smaller Eco-Footprint?smallerEarth TodayReuse means to use something again. Before you throw something away, ask yourself, "Can I use this another way?"This hill used to be a landfill. When it was full, the city covered it with solar panels. Now the city gets electricity, while the trash underneath decomposes (breaks down.Check out these smart ideas to reuse every day things.Shipping Container HouseCardboard PlayhouseBasketball FlowerpotsReduce means to make smaller or use less. Start with using less energy and things.Buy appliances, like TVs and refrigerators, that use less energy. Some food and soap are also better for the environment.How can we use fewer cars?What tips for reducing can you find in this video?Fork Picture HoldersWhen you have an excellent idea to reuse something, share it with other people!Recycle means to change waste into something usable again.Which of these can be recycled?aluminum and tin canscardboardplasticstyrofoamnewspapersglass bottles and jarsfoil wrappersgreasy cardboardWhich meat is better for the environment?Buy food grown on farms closer to your home. Local food is fresher and uses less energy.Look for these labels!Use your own shopping bag.Use your own water bottle.